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Five plead guilty to home invasion

Published: Monday, August 26, 2013 at 10:06 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, August 26, 2013 at 10:06 p.m.

Five men pleaded guilty Monday for their roles in a home invasion.

Assistant Solicitor Abel Gray said in court that Spartanburg County Sheriff's deputies responded to a home invasion at a Bowers Court residence on Nov. 27, 2012. Bowers Court is located off Hayne Street in the Arcadia community.

The prosecution asserted the suspects assaulted people inside after entering the residence disguised in bandanas and hoodies. One suspect had a knife and asked a woman several times if she wanted to die. Officers also found a BB gun rifle in the getaway car, which was spotted soon after the crime.

Lapham said in court that Motts has grappled with an accident for most of his life. Left unsupervised at age 3, she said Motts started a house fire that claimed his mother's life and left his father disabled.

“Throughout his entire life he's been blaming himself,” Lapham said.

His uncle, Jeffrey Motts, was executed in May 2011 for murder. Before he was put to death, Motts warned children that drugs would destroy their lives.

Lapham said Aaron Motts was under the influence of alcohol and drugs the night of the robbery, but remained in the car after the men arrived.

“I'm deeply sorry for what you went through that night and suffered,” Motts told the victims before he was sentenced to five years. That sentence will be suspended after he serves a three-year prison sentence, followed by two years probation.

Motts' co-defendants also expressed remorse for their actions.

Attorneys for the young men said they were under the influence of alcohol and drugs and made mistakes that fortunately did not end more tragically.

Estes pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and battery and was sentenced to eight years.

Kenmanivong who admitted to driving the other men there and being, as well as being the getaway driver, pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary violent. He received an eight-year sentence.

Keth received a 10-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to first-degree assault and battery and attempted armed robbery.

Salas also pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and battery and attempted armed robbery and received a 10-year sentence.

All men received credit for the 273 days they've served in jail since their arrests.

Victims suffered cuts to their head and eyes, and one victim suffered a fractured or broken jaw, Gray said. Emergency medical responders treated the victims at the scene.

<p>Five men pleaded guilty Monday for their roles in a home invasion.</p><p>Assistant Solicitor Abel Gray said in court that Spartanburg County Sheriff's deputies responded to a home invasion at a Bowers Court residence on Nov. 27, 2012. Bowers Court is located off Hayne Street in the Arcadia community.</p><p>The prosecution asserted the suspects assaulted people inside after entering the residence disguised in bandanas and hoodies. One suspect had a knife and asked a woman several times if she wanted to die. Officers also found a BB gun rifle in the getaway car, which was spotted soon after the crime.</p><p>The suspects were identified as Stephen Anthony Estes, 18, 457 W. Peachtree St., Woodruff; Dennis C. Keth, 20, 1552 Shoally Creek Road, Boiling Springs; Vincent Kenmanivong, 20, 548 Glennwood Dr., Spartanburg; Aaron David Motts, 21, 236 Silverbell Drive, Boiling Springs; and Carlos Salas Jr., 19, 463 Monks Grove Church Road, Spartanburg. Each was charged with one count of first-degree burglary, four counts of first-degree assault and battery and four counts of armed robbery.</p><p>Attorneys say their motive was to rob a resident of marijuana.</p><p>Most of the charges were dismissed through plea negotiations.</p><p>Motts pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary nonviolent.</p><p>Attorney Candice Lapham asked Circuit Court Judge Roger Couch to give Motts a probationary sentence and begged for mercy.</p><p>Lapham said in court that Motts has grappled with an accident for most of his life. Left unsupervised at age 3, she said Motts started a house fire that claimed his mother's life and left his father disabled.</p><p>“Throughout his entire life he's been blaming himself,” Lapham said.</p><p>His uncle, Jeffrey Motts, was executed in May 2011 for murder. Before he was put to death, Motts warned children that drugs would destroy their lives.</p><p>Lapham said Aaron Motts was under the influence of alcohol and drugs the night of the robbery, but remained in the car after the men arrived.</p><p>“I'm deeply sorry for what you went through that night and suffered,” Motts told the victims before he was sentenced to five years. That sentence will be suspended after he serves a three-year prison sentence, followed by two years probation.</p><p>Motts' co-defendants also expressed remorse for their actions.</p><p>Attorneys for the young men said they were under the influence of alcohol and drugs and made mistakes that fortunately did not end more tragically.</p><p>Estes pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and battery and was sentenced to eight years.</p><p>Kenmanivong who admitted to driving the other men there and being, as well as being the getaway driver, pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary violent. He received an eight-year sentence.</p><p>Keth received a 10-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to first-degree assault and battery and attempted armed robbery.</p><p>Salas also pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and battery and attempted armed robbery and received a 10-year sentence.</p><p>All men received credit for the 273 days they've served in jail since their arrests.</p><p>Victims suffered cuts to their head and eyes, and one victim suffered a fractured or broken jaw, Gray said. Emergency medical responders treated the victims at the scene.</p>